Elmore Leonard On Adverbs

“4. Never use an adverb to modify the verb “said’’… . . . he admonished gravely. To use an adverb this way (or almost any way) is a mortal sin. The writer is now exposing himself in earnest, using a word that distracts and can interrupt the rhythm of the exchange. I have a character in one of my books tell how she used to write historical romances “full of rape and adverbs.’’” (Elmore Leonard, Killshot)